Man Pleads Guilty in Casper-Area Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring

A man will likely see several years in prison after admitting Monday in Natrona County District Court to his role in a Casper-area methamphetamine distribution ring.

Dalton Lee Powell, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

In exchange for Powell's guilty plea, the state will recommend he serve four to seven years in prison.

Court documents say other people who bought methamphetamine told agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation in April 2014 that Powell was selling methamphetamine.

In October and November 2016, sources told agents that Powell was getting methamphetamine from Cheyenne and returning to Casper to sell it.

"It's pretty simple," Powell told Judge Catherine E. Wilking, when she asked Powell to describe his actions. "I'm an addict, and everybody kind of worked together."

Powell added that he would travel to Denver and Cheyenne for medical appointments. While in either city, he would purchase methamphetamine and then return to Casper in order to sell it.

A police officer who stopped a white Chevrolet four-door passenger vehicle on Nov. 1 for a cracked windshield. Powell was one of the passengers.

An officer reportedly found a Smith and Wesson SW9VE -- a semi-automatic 9mm pistol -- as well as a suspected meth pipe on the floor board of the passenger seat where Powell had been sitting.

A search of Powell's person allegedly turned up two grams of methamphetamine in a gold zipper sack. Powell reportedly told officers the meth was for personal use to help deal with pain.

Police later found methamphetamine pipes and suspected heroin in Powell's personal items, which were in the trunk, according to the affidavit. Also reportedly found were a scale with residue, plastic bags commonly used as packaging and $800 cash, court documents say.